Memorabilia kit for an infant

ABSTRACT

A novel teddy bear for displaying keepsakes associated with the birth of a child, includes a plush toy with at least a pocket for the display of an infant&#39;s first photograph or other photographs that may of interest and meaning. The newborn kit of the present invention also includes a rattle/teething ring that is associated with the teddy bear and is also retained and displayable through the use of the plush toy. The teddy bear is storable within a box that can be used to protect it and the keepsakes from damage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a teddy bear for commemorating the birth of a baby. More particularly, the present invention is a traditional teddy bear type plush toy that can be dressed with commemorative components for marking the birth of a child and comprises a unique form for presentation and storage.

The birth of a new member in a family has become laden with traditions of all kinds, some derived from culture and some no doubt derived from the advent of photography and similar technologies that one can use to document the event. The families of newborns, especially the parents and the grandparents, will seek to make every aspect of the new arrival “special” and “memorable” in order to preserve the feelings and the memories associated with the event. The ways in which families achieve this may vary somewhat, but it can include the preparation of a hand-made quilt, or a special article of clothing, or the purchase of a savings bond, to name just a few of the ways that people will attach some special meaning to the birth.

The most obvious method for recording the birth of an infant, and perhaps it is not even thought of so much as it has become second nature, is the use of photography to document the arrival. The term: “Baby's First Picture” or similar has a very common meaning and there are family photo albums that even preserve a special page with this type of moniker. However, as nice and as special as these albums are, they are not subject to display and typically end up being stored out of the way in a closet or on a bookcase where they tend to be out of mind much of the time.

In addition to photography, another piece of memorabilia is the newborn's footprint that is taken at birth and then issued by the hospital. A copy of the footprint is often given to the newborn's parents. Much as is the case with the photograph, the footprint image is typically kept in an album or folder and is relegated to storage in some place where it remains out of mind and out of sight.

Attempts have been made in the prior art to enhance the presentation and storage of such or similar keepsakes as the baby photographs, or the footprint image, and the like. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,791 (Taylor) a plush doll toy is disclosed with a display area where the face would normally appear, where the display area allows a person to insert or attach a photograph of a child's face. The effect is to provide a humorous appearance or to generate an affinity between the doll and a child. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,155 (Divvleeon) a stuffed toy bear is portrayed as providing a display for pictorial items including photographs. In this instance, the plush toy is directed towards use for the display of photos which may or may not be related to the child who would be the intended recipient of the toy. In addition, there is clearly no association between the Divvleeon toy bear and the birth event as would be the case with the present invention.

In U.S. Design Pat. No. D427,254 (Rothschild) a teddy bear doll is shown with a pouch that may be suited for retaining a photograph or similar item. The pouch is located in the center of the chest area of the teddy bear doll. There is no association of this toy with any particular event. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,224 (Gintling) a doll is shown that is similar to the Taylor invention above, where a pouch area is provided for the insertion of a photo. In the case of Gintling, however, the doll presents the photo in a way that associates the pictorial representation of the person with the persona of the doll creating a different effect than would be the case in Taylor. The plush toy in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,900 (Hodge) has a center section that is capable of housing a photograph. Again, as was the case above, there is no association between the plush toy and a particular event that would impart any residual relationship to the toy.

Notwithstanding the many clever and appreciated toys that are provided for children that include photographs or representations that may generate some affinity for the toy, there still remains a lack of any toys or keepsakes that can be directly associated with the birth of a newborn that will simultaneously provide duty as a place for the storage and display of newborn memorabilia. The importance of such a toy derives in part from the ability to keep the association between the toy and the event connected through the years, since the toy can be photographed with the infant and that image retained as part of the record of the infant's birth, solidifying the bond between the toy and the child in a way that has not been accomplished before.

These and other aspects of the present invention and the attributes that it may have with respect to it use will be discussed in more detail below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A teddy bear for a newborn in accordance with the present invention is disclosed whereby the plush toy is provided with the capability to display and store specific memorabilia associated with the infant's birth. These provisions for the retention and display of memorabilia include pockets or frames for the insertion of photographs, where the pockets or frames are transparent and allow the photo to be viewed in a pleasing manner. In the preferred embodiment, pockets are provided for baby's first picture and for the a copy of the footprint image of the baby. The newborn kit of the present invention also includes a rattle that may comprise an actual baby's rattle that can be used by the baby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the teddy bear of the present invention shown as packaged in a presentation box.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the teddy bear of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the same teddy bear plush toy as shown in FIG. 2, with a baby rattle shown as removed from the arm of the bear.

FIG. 4 is a side cross section view of the baby rattle/teething ring along Section Lines 3-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A novel newborn kit for the display and storage of memorabilia associated with the birth of a child is disclosed herein and in the drawings. In accordance with the present invention and as viewed in FIG. 1, a newborn kit 10 includes the box 12, with box front 14, box rear 16, box top 18 and the box bottom 20. Viewable inside the box 12, through the front 14 which largely comprises a transparent window, is the plush toy 30, which in this case may be termed and presented as “Baby's Birth—Baby's First.”

Turning now to FIG. 2, the teddy bear plush toy 30 is seen in more detail and as representing a traditional type of “teddy bear.” Theoretically, the plush toy may comprise other types of animals as may be the desire and/or custom of the parents or others who would select the newborn kit for the child, however the teddy bear is considered to be the traditional first toy for a newborn and is the preferred form of toy for use in the present invention. The plush toy 30 includes the bear head 32, the bear body 34, the bear feet 36, kerchief 38, shorts 40, heart frame pocket 42, a picture 44, a footprint pocket 46, a footprint picture 47, and a bear rattle/teething ring 48. The bear body includes a bear arm 54. The bear rattle/teething ring 48 is also seen in FIG. 3 and includes the top portion 50, and the ring portion 52. Interior details of the bear rattle/teething ring 48 can be seen in cross section in FIG. 4 with the top portion 50 comprised of the neck 56, the top portion exterior 60 and the top portion interior 62. The ring portion 52 includes the ring exterior 70 and the ring interior 72. Lastly, the rattles 76 can be seen as residing in the chamber 74.

The teddy bear of the present invention can now be appreciated as a combination toy and memorabilia display that can be utilized at or soon after the birth of an infant. In particular, the newborn kit offers parents an opportunity to combine certain items closely linked to the birth of their child along with the means to display and store those items. The usage of a plush toy, such as the teddy bear, allows the child to develop an affinity for the toy which will hopefully encourage a sense of tradition and familial connection that will persist throughout the life of the child, but also which be extended to future generations as an heirloom. One accessory that is associated with the teddy bear in the preferred embodiment is a rattle/teething ring which is removeably held on the bear's arm. The ring portion is sized to fit the diameter of the bear arm and can slide onto and off with minimal effort. The rattle portion of the rattle/teething ring may be a bona fide rattle that may be used by the infant, thus establishing a connection to the experiences of the infant that are relatable to the memory bear. The rattle/teething ring may also be symbolic in practice, and can be used for photographs and the like which will help to tie the teddy bear to the keepsakes. Again, one could substitute other accessory items for the rattle/teething ring, but the preferred embodiment is as taught herein.

In use, the teddy bear is fitted with a plurality of pockets, in the preferred embodiment this would comprise a picture pocket and a footprint pocket which are really translucent or transparent pouches that are attached to the memory bear in locations where they can be viewed by someone when the memory bear is placed on a shelf or table, or when it is held. The pockets may be fabricated from a plastic sheet and stitched onto the skin of the memory bear, leaving an opening at the top of the pocket to allow for the insertion of a photograph of interest that would have meaning with respect to the arrival of the newborn. The heart frame pocket in particular can be formed with a frame type edge to it as shown in the drawings which helps to emphasize the heart appearance.

With respect to the footprint pocket, this is essentially fabricated in much the same manner as described above excepting it is located on the bottom of one of the bear feet. As shown in the drawings, the footprint pocket is placed on the left foot of the teddy bear with synchronizes with the placement of the heart frame on the left side of the bear's body, roughly in what one would ascribe as the bear's chest. In most instances, when a birth occurs at a hospital, a footprint is made for the hospital records and this image is typically offered to the parents as a memento of the event. As part of the present invention, a copy of the footprint image can be made and then inserted into the footprint pocket. This mimics somewhat the foot contour of the bear feet and has a whimsical effect as well as providing a unique way to display a very dear item that carries with it a great deal of sentiment.

In keeping with the thematic aspects of the teddy bear of the present invention, the teddy bear is preferably provided with the baby rattle/teething ring that itself may be made to resemble a bear. This accessory will itself become a memento to be cherished and saved. The rattle/teething ring is also conveniently and uniquely retained on the bear's arm as described above which allows it to be displayed in a manner that would not be possible if it had to be kept in a scrapbook or a box of memorabilia.

One of the effects of the present invention is the fact that the memory may also become an item of interest for the infant as he/she grows older. The parent is able to relate to the child the fact that the teddy bear is keeping the child's baby picture, and footprint and its first rattle/teething ring and this association of the teddy bear with the child's birth is intended to generate an affinity that will ostensibly last for a lifetime or more. During infancy, the teddy bear serves as a vehicle for displaying the memorabilia. As the child grows older there will, no doubt, come a time when this association will not be as important to the child although the parent may wish to continue to display the teddy bear. If the teddy bear is relegated to storage at some point, the box is provided for this purpose and will serve to protect the teddy bear from dirt, debris and other types of damage and depreciation. It is understood that at a later time, the teddy bear may become a part of family heirlooms that would be passed to a succeeding generation and for this reason the box serves as an archive for the teddy bear allowing for presentation while maintaining a high level of protection. The teddy bear itself is a unique article for storing and managing the particular items of memorabilia, e.g., the heart frame photo and the footprint picture, and for association with memories of the child, the parents, and others, and also for connection to other photographs that may be kept in albums where the teddy bear is shown with the infant, or the rattle/teething ring may be shown with the infant.

The pockets contemplated for the present invention would preferentially be fabricated from plastics that would be compatible with the archiving of keepsakes such as photos or copies of images. Polyethylene and polypropylene are used by museums and others for this purpose and would therefore be suited for use with the present invention, especially since they are also provided in transparent sheet that would allow the photos or copies to be seen. Other materials may be suitable for use as well and it would be a matter of selection for one skilled in the art to use a material that would exhibit the right kind of characteristics for forming a pocket on the teddy bear.

The preferred embodiment contemplates the display of the photo in the heart frame pocket and the picture of the footprint in the footprint pocket. It is understood that variations on the placement of these pockets and the inclusion of additional pockets may be made by persons skilled in the art, however the preferred embodiment contemplates the two pockets as shown in the drawings.

In addition to the foregoing, the teddy bear of the present invention can be included in a layette package as part of an overall “gift set.” In fact, the present invention can be combined with other related baby items where this makes sense from a marketing standpoint.

Nothing in the teachings herein should be considered to be limiting or exclusive. The presentation of the present invention in its various embodiments is meant to illustrate the ways in which it can be employed and do not operate as limits on the exercise or applications of its use. 

1. A teddy bear for a newborn, which includes a teddy bear plush toy for retaining, displaying and storing keepsakes associated with the birth of a newborn infant, the newborn kit comprising: A first pocket disposed on the plush toy for the display of the newborn's first photograph; A second pocket disposed on the plush toy for the display of an image of the newborn's footprint; and, At least one accessory releaseably held on the teddy bear arm in a display position.
 2. The teddy bear of claim Number 1, where the plush toy includes a box for storing the teddy bear in a protective manner.
 3. The teddy bear of claim Number 1, where the first pocket is heart shaped and is located on the left central portion of the teddy bear's body.
 4. The teddy bear of claim Number 1, where the second pocket is located on the foot of the plush toy.
 5. The teddy bear of claim Number 1, where the accessory comprises a rattle/teething ring that can be removeably installed on the bear's arm.
 6. The newborn kit of claim Number 5, where the rattle/teething ring includes a top portion and a ring portion, where the ring portion is compatible with installation on the bear's arm and where the top portion resembles the head of a teddy bear.
 7. A plush toy for a newborn which includes a plush toy and a storage box, for retaining, displaying and storing keepsakes associated with the birth of a newborn infant, the combination comprising: At least two pockets disposed on the plush toy for the display of images, where the first of said pockets is disposed about the body of the plush toy and holds and displays a photograph of the newborn infant, and where the second of said other pocket is disposed on the foot area of the plush toy and holds and displays a footprint image of the newborn's footprint; and, At least one accessory keepsake retained on the plush toy in a display position.
 8. The plush toy of claim Number 7, where the plush toy is a teddy bear.
 9. The plush toy of claim number 7, where the accessory is a rattle/teething ring.
 10. The plush toy of claim Number 7, where the storage box includes a window in the front of the box for the display of the plush toy when it is stored in the box.
 11. A plush toy kit which includes a plush toy and a storage box, for retaining, displaying and storing keepsakes associated with the birth of a newborn infant, the plush toy kit comprising: At least two pockets disposed on the plush toy for the display of images, where the first pocket is disposed about the body of the plush toy and holds and displays a photograph of the newborn infant, and where the second pocket is disposed on the foot area of the plush toy and holds and displays a footprint image of the newborn's footprint; Where the storage box of the newborn kit includes window in the front of the box for the display of the plush toy when it is stored in the box; and, At least one accessory keepsake retained on the plush toy in a display position the accessory keepsake comprising a rattle/teething ring.
 12. The plush toy kit of claim Number 11, where the plush toy is a teddy bear.
 13. The plush toy kit of claim Number 11, where the first pocket is located on the left central portion of the body of the teddy bear.
 14. The plush toy kit of claim Number 11, where the second pocket is located on bottom of the left foot of the teddy bear. 